Issue 291: First Impressions

Flying on the 787 with ANA

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner entered service with Japan’s All Nippon Airways late last year, carrying more baggage than any aircraft in recent memory.

It was, in the optimistic hype of Boeing’s marketing department, a game changer. For airlines, its lightweight carbon composite construction would mean a respite from mounting fuel bills. For passengers, its quiet cabin and high-tech creature comforts promised a break from the increasingly drab realities of air travel. For Boeing, it would provide a badly needed edge over rival Airbus.